What am I going to do??

[Kanga1]

I would pick AKL. It may be slightly further away but unlike POR you don't share a bus with other resorts/have multiple bus stops so it kind of evens out. Also at a deluxe resort you will have interior hallways and balconies, unlike the moderate resorts which are set up motel-style, making it a far nicer place to relax when you come back to relax at your resort in the middle of the day.

This. I wouldn't let the "distance" of the resort be a factor when comparing with POR. Due to all the bus stops at POR, you will probably be sitting on the bus longer with POR (to ANY park) than traveling from AKL.

Having said that, we stayed at POR last summer for 16 nights and never felt the buses were an issue...even when stopping at every resort bus stop.

 

[Minnesota!]

if budget allowed, I would pick AKL. We are die hard Pop lovers, but AKL is amazing, as well. I think it would be the only resort I would ever "splurge" on. we have stayed at the moderates, the other values....they are nice, but nothing that sways us from Pop and AKL. <3 them both!

 

[MEK]

Thanks for all the awesome input guys! It is greatly appreciated!!! I think that if the distance from the parks is the worse thing about it, it would be really worth it for us. I really like the idea of staying deluxe for our first trip and AKL looks like it will feel very "vacation-y" if that makes sense! Lol And while I liked WL the MOST at first I actually like the theme at AKL better (my kids are animal lovers!) So now to talk to DF and see what we agree on! He will most likely say "Just make up your mind already! Who cares we will be in Disney regardless!" lol thanks again guys!

You will love it. I'm staying there in October and I seriously can't wait! Make sure you try Boma. It's wonderful and has a selection for all tastes.

 

[disney1990]

We too have stayed at all the resorts that you mentioned. If money was not an issue, I would pick Animal Kingdom over the others. Otherwise, we do love POR &POFQ.

 

[Christinaxo]

You guys are so awesome thanks! I am definitely going to call today and do AKL. It just seems like a great offer. Also i hear great things about Boma cant wait to try it! Is there anything in particular I should ask as far as room requests? I will be booking standard. Do the standard view rooms have the bunk bed option? Thanks again everyone for the advice!!!!

 

[rcraw45425]

You guys are so awesome thanks! I am definitely going to call today and do AKL. It just seems like a great offer. Also i hear great things about Boma cant wait to try it! Is there anything in particular I should ask as far as room requests? I will be booking standard. Do the standard view rooms have the bunk bed option? Thanks again everyone for the advice!!!!

If available, pool view is usually only about $10 more per night. We had two pool view rooms in January with the discount at $190 each. Wound up finally on Giraffe Trail, balcony overlooked the pool. Mid ways down the hall close to an elevator that came out ground floor right at the pool and a pretty short walk to The Mara for mug refills and snacks.

 

[sweetdana]

Hello All!

My inability to settle on a resort for our upcoming trip is really starting to wreck my nerves! First I had POFQ booked (small resort size) then POR (great reviews, mansion rooms-fave mod theme) then WL (close proximity to MK-cheaper than other deluxes in area) and as of right now we are booked back at POR because, well just cause I guess? With all the great choices I cannot make up my mind! Especially now that I saw AKL! Oh em gee why did I never even look into it as an option?! Right now there is 30% off (more than any of my other options) on the standard view rooms. I know the recommendation is savannah is the only way to go but that discount is pretty great savings for a DELUXE resort experience! The pool looks great for my little one and I think my little animal lovers would LOVE it! But my only concern is how "far" it seems to be from everywhere else except AK. Would this be a good place to stay for first timers like us? We are going in August so rope drop and early mornings in the parks are our plans than back to the resort for pool time/relaxing then back later to parks! Have a few before park opening ADRS but for the later days in our stay. Staying for 9 days, no car. Its our first trip to WDW, celebrating a 10 yr anni, a college graduation and DD 4th birthday! Just want something special Any advice?

AK is far.. to the PP.. I didn't find it far.. with 2 kids a stroller 2 bags of stuff from MK on standing room only.. POR is WAYY far enough. AK is the longest bus ride ever. I would pay MORE per night for either POR or FQ that I would pay for AK.. infact I am DVC and given the points per night are cheaper there then SSR/BWV/BC/OKW ect. .. IT IS MY LAST CHOICE.. I pay more per night with every other resort

If it was a no/low park trip, or I didn't have 2 kids.. I would do AK again.. but for a family the bus trip home is not reasonable.. I WOULD PICK A VALUE OVER AK! (with kids, no car, and going to all parks every day.) *a car changes it a little.. but really I would pick either mod 10 times over it.. still..

POR and FQ are really very very much the same. Bonus of FQ is 1 bus stop, walk to room is always close beni of POR is WAY better QS, and a sit down (if this is important)

WL is worth the upgrade in pricing if you can afford, but really isn't a HUGE big deal from POR/FQ. 1st decide if it is worth X per night (wht ever the diff is) then if not go with FQ is the walk is a big deal, and if not go with POR.

 

[Christinaxo]

AK is far.. to the PP.. I didn't find it far.. with 2 kids a stroller 2 bags of stuff from MK on standing room only.. POR is WAYY far enough. AK is the longest bus ride ever. I would pay MORE per night for either POR or FQ that I would pay for AK.. infact I am DVC and given the points per night are cheaper there then SSR/BWV/BC/OKW ect. .. IT IS MY LAST CHOICE.. I pay more per night with every other resort

If it was a no/low park trip, or I didn't have 2 kids.. I would do AK again.. but for a family the bus trip home is not reasonable.. I WOULD PICK A VALUE OVER AK! (with kids, no car, and going to all parks every day.) *a car changes it a little.. but really I would pick either mod 10 times over it.. still..

POR and FQ are really very very much the same. Bonus of FQ is 1 bus stop, walk to room is always close beni of POR is WAY better QS, and a sit down (if this is important)

WL is worth the upgrade in pricing if you can afford, but really isn't a HUGE big deal from POR/FQ. 1st decide if it is worth X per night (wht ever the diff is) then if not go with FQ is the walk is a big deal, and if not go with POR.

Thanks so much for the advice! POFQ always seemed the most reasonable to us because of the most important factors. We don't plan on being in the parks all nine days we are there but I can see how the long bus ride would get tiring very quickly! The look and theming of AKL has been the most appealing to us in the price range we want (I mean we'd love Poly but those prices? ) Thanks for the advice it helps and gives me lots to think about before I call. And why deciding has been so hard so far! lol

 

[TX Momof2]

We did this exact thing! Our first trip to Disney was in Sept 2008 and we stayed at AKL! We booked a standard room, but with "pixie dust" got a Bunkbed room on the Savannah! I will never forget it! We loved waking up to the animals each morning! Also, if you don't have a view from your room, there are lots of places along the hallways with views of the savannahs. The bus were really good! The MK takes about 25 min, but the busses come often. The service is top notch!